Amended TURA - Alternative Planning Options

New planning options are now available for TURA facilities that have completed a toxics use reduction (TUR) plan and two plan updates. Beginning with plans due July 1, 2008, these facilities now have the option to develop either a resource conservation plan (for alternating planning cycles) or to implement an environmental management system (EMS) in lieu of a TUR plan, giving facilities the opportunity to integrate their toxics planning efforts into a comprehensive EMS.

A facility choosing to complete a resource conservation plan must select at least one “natural asset” as the focus of the plan and apply the TUR planning methods and source reduction approach on this asset. After developing a resource conservation plan, a facility must return to TUR planning for the following planning cycle two years later. Asset areas that can be included in a resource conservation plan include:

-Chemical substances that are not identified on the list of toxic or hazardous substances

-Toxic substances present in articles (e.g., mercury in bulbs, lead in parts)

If a facility chooses the EMS option, the facility’s EMS must contain certain elements (based generally on ISO 14001) and must integrate toxics use reduction planning for all TURA chemicals and production units into the EMS.

MassDEP issued draft regulations to implement these changes for public comment in August 2007 and expects to promulgate final revised regulations by January 2008. MassDEP is working with OTA and TURI to develop guidance documents for these new options, to be published in Fall 2007. MassDEP will publish revised guidance on toxics use reduction planning in Fall 2007. TURI will offer continuing education training sessions on TURA alternative planning options this winter, and OTA will be developing workshops to assist facilities in these planning efforts.